# AI-Generated Project Turned Out to Be Very Similar to Someone Else's Work

Developer canceled the project and apologized after noticing the similarities

- **Source:** [Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com)
- **Published:** 2026-08-09
- **Topic:** [Entrepreneurship](https://brifing.si/c/entrepreneurship)
- **Original article:** <https://blog.terrygodier.com/2026/08/09/mea-culpa-dark-hours.html>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/7c8d9023-91cc-4e35-ae31-bc1c3b03fa2a

## Project Initiation

A developer created a web utility called Dark Hours that showed what could be seen in the night sky. The project was developed with the help of Claude, an AI assistant. However, it was later discovered that an existing open-source project called DarkHours.app had striking similarities in both name and functionality.

## Discovery of Similarities

The developer of DarkHours.app reached out via Bluesky to point out the similarities between the projects. Beyond the name resemblance, the features were nearly identical. More strikingly, the AI-generated project had even replicated a bug that had been fixed in the open-source version.

## Swift Response

Upon realizing the extent of similarities, the developer took quick action. They redirected the Dark Hours domain to the original project and canceled planned iOS development. They also committed to publishing a blog post directing users to the original project.

## Public Apology

The developer apologized for irresponsible use of AI. While stating they hadn't seen DarkHours.app before, they criticized themselves for not researching existing solutions when using AI to generate the project. They took full responsibility for the situation.

## Risks of AI Usage

This incident highlighted potential ethical issues with AI-assisted development. Code-generating tools can create solutions that unintentionally resemble existing projects. The developer emphasized the need for cautious use of such tools.

## Future Approach

The developer stated they wouldn't use AI in this manner going forward. They noted they already don't use AI as intensively in iOS development, limiting its use to asking questions and debugging rather than creating full applications.

## Supporting the Original

The developer encouraged users to try the original DarkHours.app. They praised the quality of the open-source project and recommended that anyone who liked their version's features should use the authentic one instead. They themselves plan to use the original going forward.

## Lesson in Developer Ethics

This case served as another reminder about the importance of ethics in technology. The developer's accountability and quick corrective action set a positive example for the industry. It became a valuable case study on handling such situations appropriately.

## Sources covering this story

- https://blog.terrygodier.com/2026/08/09/mea-culpa-dark-hours.html — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._